Abstract

Improved learning by implementation of inquiry-based science education (IBSE) has been well documented. Eight Norwegian secondary school teachers associated the term IBSE with problem solving, good student dialogues, experiments and practical work. They rarely implemented “full” IBSE in their teaching practices even though this is well anchored in the Norwegian national curriculum. The teachers had experienced that IBSE led to an increased interest, motivation and curiosity for science learning, and explicit scaffolding and guidance were regarded as important to obtain good learning processes. Limiting factors for implementation of IBSE were time available, organization of teaching hours, class room facilities and number of students in the class. IBSE activities were in particular valued as important to stimulate science-based discussions in the classroom. In order to promote and increase the implementation of IBSE in secondary school science teaching, two strategies might be good to pursue: increased time resources to teach science in the Norwegian school and introduction of IBSE-focused teacher training programs.